The first official die-shots of the first Bulldozer architecture derivative, the eight-core “Orochi” Opteron die was displayed at Global Technology Conference, by GlobalFoundries, AMD’s principal foundry-partner. While AMD did not give out a die-map to go with it, the structures we can make out are four Bulldozer modules holding two cores and a shared L2 cache each, a L3 cache spread across four blocks that’s shared between all cores, the northbridge-portion cutting across the die at the center, and the integrated memory controller along its far-right side. Various I/O portions are located along the other three sides.

Next up is the Llano die. This is AMD’s very first Fusion APU (accelerated processing unit) die. It is based on the K10 architecture and integrates a graphics processor and northbridge completely into one die. It precedes APUs based on the Bobcat architecture. Fortunately, there is a die-map at hand, which shows four K10 cores with dedicated 1 MB L2 caches per core, no L3 cache, an integrated SIMD array that holds 480 stream processors. The GPU component is DirectX 11 compliant. Other components include an integrated northbridge, integrated memory controller, integrated PCI-Express root complex, and HyperTransport interface to the chipset.

Gigabyte is readying a new passively-cooled Radeon HD 5770 graphics card called the Gigabyte HD 5770 Silent Cell, carrying model number GV-R577SL-1GD. This 100% non-reference design card is built using Gigabyte’s Ultra Durable VGA technology (comprising of 2 oz copper PCB, ferrite-core chokes, Low RDS (on) MOSFETs, and binned high-performance memory chips. What’s more peculiar is its large GPU cooler that covers the length and height of the card, and extends a couple of inches over the length of the card. At its end, the heatsink also extends a good couple of inches over the height of the card, some of its fins even protrude out of the rear panel. The heatsink is a densely-packed aluminum fin array to which heat is conveyed by four 6 mm thick heat pipes.

Cooling assembly aside, the card sticks to AMD reference clock speeds – 850 MHz core, 1200 MHz (4800 MHz effective) memory, and uses 1 GB of GDDR5 memory across a 128-bit wide memory interface. The 40 nm Juniper GPU packs 800 stream processors, and supports the latest PC graphics technologies including DirectX 11. The card can pair with up to three more of its kind for CrossFireX. Display connectivity options include one each of DVI, HDMI, and DisplayPort. Gigabyte did not give out a price.

AMD’s answer to a lot of Intel’s processors in the low-power category, be it the Core i3/i5 “Clarkdale”, Core CULV, or even the Atom, seems to have finally taken shape with “Bobcat”. This processor is a major design overhaul, as it integrates a number of key components, including a GPU. Since the GPU component is so complex and integrated with the rest of the processor at such a level, AMD decided to name the processor an “Accelerated Processing Unit” or APU. Beyond just driving video and 3D graphics, the GPU component of Bobcat is designed to lend a hand to the CPU cores whenever needed.

The GPU doubles up as a raw SIMD engine array that works with applications over OpenCL and ATI Stream technologies to step up performance. The “Bobcat” Fusion APU integrates x86 processor cores with a high-performance switch that doubles up as a memory controller, which connects to a SIMD engine, a UVD display controller, and platform interfaces that include connection to the southbridge chipset and display I/O.

AMD’s answer to a lot of Intel’s processors in the low-power category, be it the Core i3/i5 “Clarkdale”, Core CULV, or even the Atom, seems to have finally taken shape with the “Bobcat”. This processor is a major design overhaul, as it integrates a number of key components, including a GPU. Since the GPU component is so complex and integrated with the rest of the processor in such a level, AMD decided to name the processor an “Accelerated Processing Unit” or APU. Beyond just driving video and 3D graphics, the GPU component of Bobcat is designed to lend a hand to the CPU cores whenever needed.

The GPU doubles up as a raw SIMD engine array that works with applications over OpenCL and ATI Stream technologies to step up performance. The “Bobcat” Fusion APU integrates x86 processor cores with a high-performance switch that doubles up as a memory controller, which connects to an SIMD engine (that packs stream processors), a UVD turned display controller, and platform interfaces that include connection to the southbridge chipset and display I/O.

MSI unveiled a new low-profile graphics card based on the ATI Radeon HD 5670 graphics processor. The MSI R5670-PD512 uses a half-height PCB and [apparently] single-slot design. It uses a dual 40 mm fan-based air cooler that bears some resemblance to the Twin Frozr II cooler, only a lot more compact. The card has 512 MB of GDDR5 memory across a 128-bit wide memory interface. The Radeon HD 5670 is DirectX 11 compliant, and packs 400 stream processors. Display outputs include DVI-D, HDMI with 7.1 channel audio, and detachable D-Sub. The card utilizes “Military-grade” components, such as solid-state chokes, and all solid-capacitors. The card should be available soon.

Call it one of the immediate repercussions of NVIDIA’s Monday launch of the GeForce GTX 460, AMD has responded covertly with noticeable price-cuts for the ATI Radeon HD 5830 graphics card, from across various AIB partners. Leading partners such as Sapphire, HIS, and Gigabyte positioned their models that have AMD-reference clock speeds at US $199.99, and factory-overclocked models starting at $229.99. Incidentally these are two price-points NVIDIA is targeting with the GeForce GTX 460, with the 768 MB variant positioned at $199.99, which NVIDIA refers to as the gamers’ sweet-spot, and the 1 GB variant at $229.99.

Reviews from across the web show that while GeForce GTX 460 768MB gets close to the Radeon HD 5830 in terms of performance, it only takes the 1 GB variant to perform on par. With AMD positioning the HD 5830 at $199, and factory-overclocked HD 5830 starting at $229.99, things could get heated up in this market segment. Based on the 40 nm Cypress GPU, the Radeon HD 5830 is DirectX 11 compatible, packs 1120 stream processors, and 1 GB of GDDR5 memory.

Inno3D is excited to announce the Inno3D GeForce GTX 460 that’s built from the ground up for DirectX 11 and delivers the ultimate next generation gaming experience. The GPU runs at a core speed 675 MHz and the stream processors at 1350 MHz. The GeForce GTX 460 1MB and 768MB version has 3600 MHz memory on a 256-bit and 192-bit bus respectively.

With up to 4x the DirectX11 tessellation performance of the competition, the GTX 460 packs highly detailed visuals into your games without sacrificing high frame rates. And with NVIDIA 3D Vision, PhysX, and CUDA technologies, GeForce GTX 460 powers all the incredibly realistic effects that your games can throw its way.

Club 3D announced a special Radeon HD 5450 graphics card, which it claims, can support up to three displays working in an Eyefinity setup for productivity purposes. ATI Eyefinity technology lets you create a large display head using multiple physical displays, and is typically out of specs for the Radeon HD 5400 series GPUs. Based on the 40 nm Cedar die, the HD 5450 packs 80 stream processors, and supports DirectX 11. The Club 3D card packs 512 MB of DDR2 memory across a 64-bit wide memory interface.

To connect up to three displays, it provides one each of DVI, D-Sub, and DisplayPort connectors. The GPU is clocked at 650 MHz, with the memory at 800 MHz. The card is low-profile in design, and with its passive heatsink, occupies just one expansion slot. Low profile brackets are included in the box. Club 3D did not announce its price.

PowerColor’s upcoming mid-range graphics card, the Vortex HD 5770, is said to feature a new feature that gives the user greater control of the fan’s airflow, beyond fan-speed control. The cooler lets the user to fine-tune the direction and sweep of the fan air-flow, by allowing extension of the fan frame. With these adjustments, users can fine-tune the cooler’s efficiency by directing airflow to specific parts of the aluminum heatsink underneath. Depending on how the fan is protruded or tilted, the card could occupy 2 to 3 expansion slots.

Apart from this cooling solution, the card reuses the PCB found on the PCS+ HD 5770, which is said to have factory-overclocked speeds, and 1 GB of GDDR5 memory. The Radeon HD 5770 is based on the 40 nm Juniper die. It is DirectX 11 compliant, and has 800 stream processors, a tessellation unit, and connects to 1 GB of memory over a 128-bit wide GDDR5 memory interface. Display outputs on this card include two DVI-D, HDMI and DisplayPort, with ATI Eyefinity support. The PowerColor Vortex HD 5770 will be released in a few weeks’ time. Incidentally, two PowerColor Vortex HD 5770 is up for grabs on the PowerColor and TechPowerUp GPU-Z Giveaway, so you can try your luck there.

If you absolutely need 2 GB of video memory to talk about in your rig, Club3D developed an easy means to get there. Its latest ATI Radeon HD 5550 variant boasts of 2 GB of DDR3 memory across a 128-bit wide memory interface, and some out of the box overclocked speeds. The single-slot full-height card uses an active GPU cooler, and draws all its power from the PCI-E slot. The DirectX 11 compliant Radeon HD 5550 GPU has 320 stream processors, and a 128-bit wide memory interface, with clock speeds of 650 MHz core, 1200 MHz (2400 MHz effective) memory. Display connectivity includes one each of DVI-D, D-Sub, and HDMI. Club3D did not give out a price.